One month left, and the race begins. It is no longer the marathon we had all been running, but a sprint. Whoever makes it to the finish fastest, and in one piece, wins.

It’s a competition. And the prize? Two months of carefree, peaceful bliss. Free of competitors and running, until September when we prepare for our next cross country meet.

However, in this race, just like any other, it’s the last few yards that matter most. It’s in those quick moments that the entire outcome of the race is decided. Trip and fall, and you miss first place entirely.

So you keep your eyes forward and feet moving as fast as you can. Try to ignore the thousands of stomping feet pounding in your ear, and make it to the end successfully. Some will win, many will make it, and some will lose. But it all depends on those last few yards.

It’s when we aren’t paying attention that the school year passes us by. Wake up one day with thoughts of Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations, show up to school the next moment and you’re sitting in a silent room, taking STAR tests.

where did the time go? When we weren’t watching, the miles of our marathon flew by, and we ended up at the last few yards.

For me, it’s those last few yards that are the hardest. Those other 7 1/2 months? Piece of cake. But it’s in this last month and a half where the stress and pressure of the year comes raining down, while I’m completely off my guard.

Then the meltdowns come, followed by the unstable victories and failures in each different subject. Thoughts of giving up drift and settle into my brain, urging me to stop trying and give up trying to focus on school.

What’s the most draining part of the last 2 months of school? The struggle to resist the temptation of giving up. It’s the daily conscious decision to focus and try just as hard as the day before.

Some days are easier than others, and some days are a struggle to walk through the looming gates towards another tedious day.

As your foot crosses over that infamous finish line, it’s that overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and strength that makes the entire marathon worth it.

—

This is part of the Baron Banner blogs, a public forum for student expression. There is no editing.

View the other Baron Banner staff blogs here!

The words are uttered from the lips,
But cross not through the ears.

Plead insanity, promise good behavior.
But don’t apologize–never.

Can’t remember the image,
So you invent them until you believe.

Posted by Victoria Yee

THIS IS PART OF THE BARON BANNER BLOGS, A PUBLIC FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION.  THERE IS NO EDITING.

View the other Baron Banner staff blogs here!

By Alex Chiang, Staff writer

Typically I’m not a huge fan of bands with two lead singers. I find without the single-mindedness of one singer, the overall tone of the song clashes with itself. The Morning Of is the perfect exception. Never before have I heard such a flawless synthesis of two distinct voices, male and female I might add.

Reverie is a heart wrenching plea for freedom from the city life with some (not-so) subtle love lyrics. Both Justin Wiley and Jessica Leplon have surprisingly strong voices. the band seems to make sure to not overpower their harmonizing voices or the prettyish piano with the bass or the electric guitar. Haha. It’s pretty. I like it.

                    Listen to the song here!

This is brought to you by The Baron Boombox. Check it out, leave a comment, and request a song or artist.

Air Travel. It links continents. It enables people to roam, from country, to perhaps, country. The commercial airline industry has been running for decades. And with the arrival of the Boeing 747, in 1970, airlines were able to accommodate far more than predecessor aircraft.

The Boeing 747 has probably been one of the most popular aircraft since it’s introduction, transporting people across vast distances, and enabling the business sectors to enjoy high-scale service in the first class cabin.

Times have changed.

With the arrival of the Airbus A380, everything changes. The Airbus A380 simply holds more people. Even the new, proposed variant of the Boeing 747, the 747-8 Intercontinental will only be able to hold 467 passengers, whereas, the Airbus A380 is able to hold 525 passengers (both are 3 class configurations, respectively).

This means, that more passengers and cargo will be able to be transported in one flight. The aircraft revolutionizes commercial air travel, and Boeing will probably have a hard time competing.

Emirates, Singapore, Qantas, and Lufthansa have shown the greatest intersest in the aircraft, with Emirates ordering a whoping 58 in total!

Even though it would feel freaky, flying transatlantic, on a plane with 524 other people, I think it would be cool!

THIS IS PART OF THE BARON BANNER BLOGS, A PUBLIC FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESION.  THERE IS NO EDITING.

View the other Baron Banner staff blogs here!

The wind blows through my dark hair,
As I step into the cold.

Colors red, pink, purple, and blue,
Streak the sky like a soft painting.

Orange scent in the air,
Sugar, sweet, on my tongue.

Flowers and leaves dancing to wind,
Birds heading home after their day.

And I stand here.
Wind in my hair.

Here\’s to a new year.

What have I done?
Whose lives I have I touched?
When did our souls meet and shatter?
Where did our hands and hearts intertwine?
How many tears and smiles have I caused?
Why am I so blessed to,

On the last day of an old year.

Stand here.
Wind in my hair.

Flowers and leaves, dark silhouettes,
Birds nestling with their families.

Wine scent in the air,
Ice, bitter, on my tongue.

Colors navy blue, grey, and black,
Engulf the sky like a hungry beast.

The wind blows through my dark hair,
As I stand in the cold.

And I cry.

Oh, I am still crying.

View the other Baron Banner staff blogs here!